"I have no good words, it is a joke" - Suspended Max Purcell's US Open doubles-winning partner minces no words about Aussie's doping suspension

Max Purcell's 2024 US Open doubles winning partner, Jordan Thompson, strongly criticized the International Tennis Integrity Agency after the former was provisionally suspended due to anti-doping rule violations. Purcell reported his breach to the ITIA and accepted a provisional ban.

He voluntarily accepted a provisional ban after claiming that he unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable 100 ml limit, amounting to a breach relating to a prohibited substance. The Australian relayed his violation to the ITIA and was provisionally suspended from playing or coaching at any ATP and ITF events starting December 12.

The length of the suspension and details of the case are still unknown. Purcell recently won his second major doubles title with compatriot Thompson at the 2024 US Open. The two were eyeing to continue their excellent form at their home slam, but the suspension has ruled Purcell out of contention for the 2025 Australian Open.

Thompson was appalled by the ITIA's decision in the Purcell case and did not mince words while sharing his thoughts. Ahead of the 2025 Brisbane Open, he spoke to the media and expressed his disappointment about not getting a chance at home glory with Purcell.

"After we won the US Open, we were like, 'Yeah, let's go for our home slam now. It's not going to happen.' Yeah, it's a stitch-up. I mean, the guy took too much saltwater in an IV bag in Bali, I think. He was unwell. That's why he went there. He went to the hospital," Thompson said (via Mario Boccardi).

Thompson slammed the ITIA's decision as a "joke" and opined that provisional suspension was unfair when other players who have tested positive for prohibitive performance enhancers have gotten more lenient sentences.

"Yeah, I have no good words for it. It is a joke. I mean, guys are testing positive, performance enhancers, he's gone out and taken too much saltwater, they've suspended him. Take of that what you will. Anyone looking at it goes it's so unfair. I don't know. I don't know what is going to happen to him. Yeah, l've definitely got my strong thoughts on it," Thompson said.

Max Purcell is the third big-name player in recent months to get embroiled in a doping scandal after Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner.

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Max Purcell shed light on doping suspension

Max Purcell (Source: Getty)

Soon after ITIA announced his suspension, Max Purcell took to social media to share more details on the case. In an Instagram post on December 23, the Australian wrote that he had received medical records showing that an IV he injected was above the permitted 100 ml limit, even after instructing doctors that he could not accept an IV above 100 ml as an athlete.

“As announced by the ITIA today, I have voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension since I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100 ml. Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I had received was above 100 ml, I was fully convinced that I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods."

"But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100 ml," Max Purcell wrote on Instagram.

Purcell was devastated to learn about the breach as he prided himself on being a clean player. The 26-year-old has been transparent about the case with the authorities and looks forward to clearing his name and returning to the court.

“This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure that everything is WADA safe. I volunteered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me. I look forward to being back on the court soon.”

Max Purcell is currently ranked World No. 12 in ATP doubles ranking. His doubles partner, Jordan Thompson, is ranked World No. 3. Together, the duo won four titles in 2024, including the US Open. They also finished runners-up at the Wimbledon Championships.